Liquid Gold

Years ago Tom Dolaskie and I spent a lot of time fishing, hunting and just being outdoors together. One particular event has stayed with me for all these years. I can't recall the year, probably the early 70's the Michigan DNR stocked Clear Lake with Grayling and Rainbow trout. Clear Lake is a beautiful lake that was glaciated and is therefore very deep. It is clear water and supports a nice fishery.

Tom and I had fished Clear Lake several times over the years and had a measure of success. It was at this lake that I had scared myself while night fishing for Rainbow when I reached my hand out over the mirror like lake to check my bait and startled myself when a reflection of my arm appeared to come out from under the boat reaching toward me. I've told that story someplace.

Tom and I had noticed on a previous trip that just dusk brought hungry fish to the surface feeding on insects. The surface of the lake had come alive with circles where fish sucked in an insect and turn tail back to the depths leaving a tell tale swirl on the surface. The lake was just covered with feeding fish. We had no lures with us, and neither of us were fly fishermen. But as we discussed later on we thought perhaps if we slowly trolled a surface lure we might happen into a fish. So this day I had brought my tackle box containing some surface lures. I chose a Rapala that looked a lot like a small minnow. as we set out from shore I eased the lure in the water and Tom had his electric trolling motor that we used on the small inland lakes of Michigan.

We began a slow but steady pace, not too fast because if a Rapala loses it flutter it tends to surface of just plow across the surface losing all appearance of a minnow. We moved silently enjoying the peace of the lake and the sun setting in the west. As the sun sank low to the horizon the surface of the lake took on the surreal red, orange and violet color that reflecting water can create. It was captivating, both Tom and I just sat and watched the magnificent color unfold about us. Then it happened. A strike! We were both looking back when a large 19 inch rainbow took the lure on the surface. The water exploded with all the colors flung to the sides. Droplets arched over the water from the force of the strike and made for a small rain effect. The fish dove with its prize only to be slammed back to the surface when I set the hook.

The rest was barely describable. The fish fought on the surface, time and again he broke water flailing about and made the colors even more vivid and amazing. It was fighting in liquid gold. I almost did not want the fight to give up. But a pole, a strong line, and patience over came the fish and he came to the net. We took him and appreciated the amazing visual effect the fight had created. It was a fish we talked about for a long time and an experience that is as vivid in my mind today as then those long years ago.